Amidst South Africa’s intensifying housing crisis and the legacy of apartheid spatial planning, Communicare, a Western Cape based social housing enterprise, remains a contributor to the housing solution.
Communicare, officially launched its latest social housing development, Bothasig Garden Phase 3 in Bothasig via a webinar on the 28th of July 2021.
Bothasig Garden Phase 3 is a regulated social housing development, that sees Communicare providing 314 low incomes families the opportunity to live in an area that was previously inaccessible. Bringing people closer to the city’s economic hub and employment opportunities, at affordable rates while making housing more inclusive.
Communicare responds to the challenge of housing South African families affordably and safely within active economic zones. By doing this Cmmunicare provides people access into areas where they can easily participate in the economy and uplift their lives. These areas in turn benefit from the additional workforce, employees who do not need to travel impossible distances to work using unreliable public transport.
Bothasig Gardens offers 94 studio apartments, 63 one-bedrooms and 157 two-bedroom apartments. Built from the ground up, the units are fitted with eco-conscious LED lighting, heat pumps, dual flush toilets and water-wise showerheads to help tenants save money and reduce their impact on the environment. The first phases of the housing project have been completed and Communicare is welcoming over 40 tenants into the Bothasig community during August.
Communicare CEO, Anthea Houston said that access to a development of Bothasig Gardens Phase 3 played a such a central role in defining the quality in the modern society. “It’s a social safety net, it protects us from the elements, it provides us with a place where we rest, recuperate, learn, and we thrive. A house builds citizenship, because it connects us not only to our families but also to the community. In the eyes of the authorities, it gives us an address that allows us to connect into the economy.” Houston added: “A house is such an empowering asset, yet many of us will know families living conditions that don’t allow them to thrive! By adding these 314 apartments to the already 285 apartments in this complex we are expanding access to good quality housing.”
Communicare has spent over R70million on the development, in addition government has provided R90 million capital grant, totalling to over R165 million.
Communicare board chairperson, Kholeka Zama thanked the City of Cape for approving such developments. Zama said these establishments are revolutionary, as they afford access to high value areas, which have not been previously accessible to people like herself. “This is how you build resilient communities!”
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